Our Autism Diagnosis Journey: How I Knew Something Was Different
As a first-time mom — and a doctor — I thought I had it all under control. I knew the developmental milestones like the back of my hand, and from day one, I kept track of them. My son was exclusively breastfed until I resumed work at three months. Everything seemed fine… until it wasn’t.
The Subtle Signs I Almost Missed
At around six months, I began to notice something: my baby wasn’t babbling. It felt odd, but I brushed it aside at first. After all, every child develops at their own pace, right?
But by the time he turned one, the alarm bells were louder. He wasn’t speaking — not even "mama" or "papa" — though he had once said “MMA” and “papa” briefly, only to lose those words entirely. He didn’t answer to his name. He didn’t point to things, wave bye-bye, or give high fives. He didn’t seem to notice if I was around or not, and when I returned home after work, there was no excitement, no eye contact — just silence.
In public gatherings like church, he’d wander off with strangers without a second thought. At home, he became increasingly fixated on certain objects. He could cling to a metal spoon for hours — even falling asleep with it. His eating was extremely limited: just pap, Golden Morn, and Friso Gold. No biscuits, no snacks, not even the things other children begged for.
Read the subtle red flags parents often miss.
Everyday Routines Became Difficult
Barbing his hair? We needed four to five adults to hold him down. Brushing his teeth felt like preparing for battle. And then there was sleep — or the lack of it. He would wake up like clockwork between 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., crying inconsolably.
He didn’t follow basic commands like “come,” “go,” “sit,” or “stand.” He would drag me by the hand to objects he wanted, instead of pointing. He would run from one end of the house to the other, again and again. He chewed his clothes. There was no concentration, no eye contact, and it felt like I was slowly losing him.
Looking for Help, Finding Doubt
Around the age of one, I enrolled him in school. I asked the teachers for feedback — he wouldn’t interact with the other kids. He would either stand beside the teacher all day or sleep through class. I confided in some trusted colleagues, but my concerns were often waved away. “He’ll grow out of it,” they said.
But just before his second birthday, he started walking on his toes. My anxiety skyrocketed. I knew something wasn’t right. I pushed for answers.
Eventually, I took him to a paediatric neurologist. Sadly, autism is still not a common or easily recognized diagnosis here in Nigeria. Even the doctor didn’t see anything wrong at first. But I insisted. I needed to know — for my son, and for my peace of mind.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
We were referred to a speech and language pathologist. Even she was hesitant at first. But after several sessions and careful observation, she confirmed what I already feared — autism.
We immediately started speech therapy, and that was the beginning of our journey toward understanding, healing, and progress.
Why I’m Sharing This
Autism in Nigeria is still heavily misunderstood — even among medical professionals. But early signs matter, and early intervention matters even more.
If you're a parent reading this and you feel something is “off” with your child, trust your instincts. Speak up. Ask questions. Push for answers.
I wish someone had told me that I wasn’t overreacting. That my observations as a mother — and not just a doctor — were valid.
What Helped Me Cope
Faith: I leaned into prayer and grace. It gave me strength when nothing else could.
Community: I found a few people who truly listened and stood by me.
Information: I read. I researched. I learned that I wasn’t alone.
Action: We started therapy. We began to understand his needs. And slowly, we began to see light.
Final Thoughts
Autism is not the end — it’s the beginning of a different kind of parenting journey. One that requires patience, resilience, and love beyond limits.
Our story has long changed since the diagnosis, significant improvements have occurred and can be taken a typical 7 year old child asides a few challenges.
If you’re walking this road too, I see you. You are not alone.
Read another mom's success story here.
Read yet another mom's success story here.
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Dr. Doris Dominic is a medical doctor, autism health educator and health content writer who provides relatable guidance on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), early signs of autism, developmental delays, speech development, behavioral challenges, sensory processing, and nutrition for children with autism. She translates complex medical information into practical, actionable strategies to support early intervention and informed...